After playing close to the lime in the National Team and in teams like Liverpool, Espanyol and Mallorca, among others, Albert Riera (Manacor, April 15, 1982) crossed the other line that limits the field of play. He is the coach behind Slovenian league leaders Olimpija Ljubljana and works in one-day training in Spain. He aspires to be in a Champions League team, and he will fight for it. He talked about this and much more with Mundo Deportivo.
Maribor lead by 12 points. Did the league win?
To convince the players I have to convince myself. It’s a significant margin, but I’ve lived in similar situations as a player and you have to stay calm and carry on like you have been.
How did the possibility to train in Slovenia arise?
This is where I played. It is clear to me that the first experience on the bench was in one of the countries where I played. First I was an assistant to Fatih Terim and Domènec Torrent at Galatasaray and then, when I felt I was ready, I took this step.
His landing was a bit strange, wasn’t it?
Yes, it’s a situation I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Some of the fans appeared at the press conference of my performance because they considered that Prosinecki had to continue, who I replaced as coach. But I chose to work, that’s what I had to do.
How much did being in countries like Turkey and Greece help you and when did the situation start to turn around?
Going to those countries and leaving home at 20 helped. Experience is a degree. And when we started winning the situation started to reverse. magic
How are you or do you want to be teams?
I will not talk about numbers like 4-4-2 or 4-3-3. I try to put the best on the field and everyone plays in their best position. The biggest responsibility of the modern coach should be that every player performs in the best possible way. How do I play? It depends on what I have and the opponent.
And what seal do they have?
I want to be the hero, that regardless of the result my team is superior to the rival. It may not always be, but you have to try. It’s not about suicide, but defending yourself in your place doesn’t guarantee anything either. Why not always try to be better than the rival? That was my main idea.
Does the success of a good coach depend on adapting to circumstances?
I always say that being a soccer player is the best profession in the world and being a coach is second only. As a player you are part of a 25 vs 1 and as a coach you are 1 vs 25. You are a chef but you have to know the ingredients you have to cook. Sometimes you have to change some things but not betray yourself.
As a coach, did you understand things that you didn’t understand as a player?
Yes, absolutely. The player is very selfish. The coach may be wrong, but no one likes to lose. The most important thing for the coach is that his players feel that they are improving.
What is the difference between ‘play well’ and ‘play nice’?
This is the fetish question in the coaching course where I had the pleasure of meeting Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Raúl, Marco Senna, Capdevila, Luis García, Valdés… The beauty of football is that it’s not just one way of playing. You have to win games, but obviously one who plays well is closer to winning than one who doesn’t. That’s why I try to make my teams heroes.
His coaches are Luis Aragonés, Rafa Benítez, Valverde and Fatih Terim, among others. Which of them ticked you off the most?
Everything. I tried to keep the best of each. It’s impossible to be perfect, but you have to try to get close.
Among your teammates, which of the three would you like to train?
Only three? To Eto’o, to Gerrard, to Xavi, to Xabi Alonso, to Iniesta…
Did you have the sting of not playing in Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup?
Yes, but I don’t deserve it. If I deserved it, they would have hired me. But yes, I like it and I also know that this generation will win.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Football is now, it is present. Which one do I want? Tomorrow I want to train in Spain and if possible with a Champions League team. I don’t know when or if I’ll do it, but it’s not for not trying.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
